Head Coach
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Josh Holt
Head Coach
On April 5, 2022, Josh Holt was named Head Coach of the Viking Football Program. Coach Holt is a graduate of Tennessee High School and former Viking football player. Prior to becoming the head coach, he served one season as the team’s interim defensive coordinator. He has more than 15 years coaching experience in high school football and has been a member of the Viking coaching staff since 2018.
Prior to joining Tennessee High, Coach Holt was an assistant football coach at Abingdon High School, Holston High School, and John Battle High School, all in Washington County Virginia Public Schools. Holt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Emory and Henry, where he also played football, and a Master of Arts in Secondary Science from the University of Southern California. He is also a veteran of the United States Army. He and his wife Morgan have two sons, Maxwell and Liam. Coach Holt is very excited to take the reigns of the Viking Football Program.
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Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks
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Jesse Taylor
Offensive Coordinator and Quaterbacks
Coach Jesse Taylor is the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the Vikings. Coach Taylor came to THS in 2020 after stints as an assistant at Daniel Boone and Sullivan South. He played high school football at Elizabethton and attended ETSU where he recieved his Bachelor's degree. Coach Taylor teaches in the SOcial Studies Department at THS. He and his wife Savannah live in Elizabethton.
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Defensive Coordinator and Inside Linebackers
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Matt Chandler
Defensive Coordinator and Inside Linebackers
Coach Matt Chandler will serve as the Defensive Coordinator of the Vikings once again this season as well as continuing to coach the inside linebackers. Before coming to Tennessee High in 2002, he spent seven years as Defensive Coordinator at Sullivan East, and was the Head Coach at John Battle. Coach Chandler graduated from Virginia High, where he was a team captain of the 1987 Region champion football team. After high school, Coach Chandler played college football at Emory and Henry College. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Emory & Henry, a Master's Degree from Tusculum College, and a second Master's Degree from Union College. Matt and his wife Tammy have two daughters, Hannah and Abbie. Coach Chandler teaches Driver's Education at Tennessee High.
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Running Backs |
Derek Dowdell
Running Backs
Coach Derek Dowdell has coached football at Tennessee High since 1996. In his time at THS, he has coached both the offensive line and running backs. He currently is the Running Backs Coach for the Vikings. In his playing days, Coach Dowdell was a running back at Greenbrier High School and Austin Peay State University. Coach Dowdell has a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from the University of Tennessee. He teaches English at Tennessee High. Coach Dowdell is married to his wife Allison, and he is also the father of two boys, Trevor and Trent.
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Defensive Tackles
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Daryl Shanks
Defensive Line
Coach Daryl Shanks has been on the Vikings sideline since 1997. Coach Shanks coaches the Defensive Tackles. Coach Shanks is a David Crockett High School graduate, where he played offensive and defensive line for the Pioneers. While at David Crockett, Coach Shanks earned All-State honors. Along with many of the other coaches, Coach Shanks is a graduate of ETSU . He earned a Master's Degree from Union College. He and his wife, Brooke, have two children, a daughter Taylor, and a son Cooper. Coach Shanks teaches U.S. History at Tennessee High.
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Safeties
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Christian Gibson
Safeties
Coach Christian Gibson joined the THS coaching staff in 2022 after a playing career at ETSU where he was a part of the Bucs conference championship team in 2018. He is a THS grad who is teaching PE and Wellness at his alma mater. Coach Gibson and his wife Emily have a dog named Cooper.
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Tight Ends &H Backs
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Jordan Bryant
Tight Ends & H Backs
Coach Jordan Bryant returned to Tennessee High to coach in 2021. He currently serves as the Tight Ends and H Backs Coach He is an alum of the Viking Football Program and also previously coached at Vance Middle School. Coach Bryant is a graduate of ETSU and teaches Special Education at THS. He and his wife Haley have a daughter names Caroline.
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Defensive Ends |
Addison Powers
Defensive Ends
Coach Addison Powers returned to the Viking coaching staff in 2021. He is a THS grad and former Viking football player. Coach Powers got his degree from ETSU and teaches special eduacation at Holston View. In his spare time, Coach Powers enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and wakeboarding. |
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Cornerbacks & Special Teams Coordinator
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Cody Snyder
Varsity Cornerbacks
Special Teams Coordinator
Coach Cody Snyder coaches the Varsity Cornerbacks and will serve as the Special Teams Coordinator this season. He is a 2010 graduate of THS, where he was a standout athlete in both football and baseball. Coach Snyder went on to graduate from King University, where he was an outstanding player on the baseball team. He returned too THS to coach in 2013. Coach Snyder teaches 6th grade math at Tennessee Middle School He is married to the former Moseley King, and they two children, Kingsley and Kane. He also enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.
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Offensive Line
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Dustin Pannell
Offensive Line
Coach Dustin Pannell has coached football at THS since 2017. Coach Pannell coaches the the Varsity and B Team Offensive Line. He is a native of South Carolina, and graduated from King University. He had an outstanding career as a pitcher for the Tornado Baseball team. He also coaches baseball at THS which he also previously did at King. Coach Pannell teaches 6th grade social studies atTennessee Middle School. He is married to the former Amy Buck and they have a son, Rawlins. |